Kuala Lumpur
Never leaving you with a dull moment, the vibrant city of Kuala Lumpur will take you on a multifaceted journey through the heartbeat of Malaysia.
The mega-city of Kuala Lumpur, with its impressive architecture, diverse culture and delectable cuisines, is a place not to be missed. Colossal malls are there to shield you from the tropical heat while beautiful parks provide an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Attractions
Check out the awe-inspiring Petronas Twin Towers or spend the day shopping in one of the many giant malls that pepper the city. Get to know the various cultures thriving here or simply sample a plethora of local delights in a food court. Kuala Lumpur is a fantastic destination for family fun and romantic couples, whether you are on a budget or want the 5-star treatment.
Getting There
Most people get to Kuala Lumpur by plane, either flying into Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) or Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2), the budget airline terminal. Reaching the city by car is also very easy, with the North-South Expressway connecting the north of Peninsular Malaysia at the Thai border, all the way to the south, at the border to Singapore.
Money Matters
The only currency accepted is the local currency, called “ringgit”. ATMs that accept all major credit cards, including UnionPay for Chinese tourists, can be easily found across the city. Most retail outlets inside a mall accept payments by credit card if the amount is above 50 ringgit. However, small local stores generally only take cash. You can exchange currencies at any of the money-changer services at a mall, while banks do not do small currency exchanges.
Weather
Although the official wet season is from October to February, the weather in Kuala Lumpur is pretty much the same all year round – hot and humid with chances of rain every day. Peak seasons are December to January with tourists from the Northern Hemisphere, and June to mid-September with visitors from the Middle East. There are many cultural festivals celebrated in Kuala Lumpur throughout the year so you may want to coincide your visit with a festival that piques your interest.
Getting Around
With over 200 square kilometres in size, Kuala Lumpur is a huge city. Although many attractions are located in the Gold Triangle area, which is in the heart of the city, you may want to venture out a bit further for a richer experience. You can get around on the public transport system like the bus, Light Rapid Transit (LRT), Komuter Railway and the monorail. Otherwise, you could also hop on a taxi or use Uber to find a driver.
Food
You are certainly in for a treat in terms of food choices at Kuala Lumpur! Not only do you get the mainstream Malay, Indian, and Chinese cuisines, you also get the unique fusion between these influences like Nyonya (Malay-Chinese) and Mamak (Muslim-Indian) food. Not adventurous? No problem! There are many fast food places all over the city and you can easily get your familiar western dishes at many restaurants too.
Kuala Lumpur is an exciting and easily-reachable destination in Asia with English-speaking friendly people and sophisticated infrastructures. See for yourself how this bustling city seamlessly merges different cultures and seem to have a life of its own.
